What I Believe:
Simi Valley is at a cross roads in determining its future long-range growth strategy.
The next developmental decisions will have a lasting impact on the landscape of our city. We need to make decisions that will address the city's future growth, but at the same time will protect existing business ventures and address the increasing traffic and congestion issues.
We are in difficult economic times. There will be increasing pressure on the city's budget because of the declining property values. We must update the city's General Plan to reflect these new, ever-changing conditions. The old, status-quo will not help us now. We need new, fresh, innovative thinking to handle the new burdens that we've never faced before. Before building bigger, new business ventures, we must address the increasing vacancies and un-used businesses as well as updating the existing well-established businesses in the area.
I want to protect the peaceful, relaxing beauty Simi Valley has to offer.
My goal, and promise, is to passionately represent the citizens of Simi Valley. I will listen to the entire community and will make decisions based on what is in the best interest of Simi Valley, as a whole, and not any special interest groups or even my own personal opinions.
I will lead technologically and economically vibrant long-term strategic plans that will maintain the essence of our community while creating jobs, ensuring public safety, supporting education, and protecting our landscape.
We should be proud to call Simi Valley the place we live, work, and learn, but most importantly, it should be the place we call HOME.
MAY GOD BLESS.
Richard Paul Carter
www.carterforcouncil.org
MY Platform:
NO – Landfill expansion. I am against the current landfill expansion proposal. I would agree to a one time expansion to meet the growing needs of the Simi Valley community, but we should not be the dumping ground for all of Ventura County and LA County. Ventura County must start looking for a new landfill location to satisfy the growing needs.
NO – Hillside building. We must protect the beautiful hillsides of Simi Valley before they are lost forever.
NO – Auto Mall relocation. I want to see a complete environmental impact study on the current location. I have concerns that the current soil and ground water could be contaminated that would prevent occupancy within a short period of time.
YES – Open Space Preservation. I want to protect the hillsides as they currently exist. I want to preserve the beauty that is Simi Valley. That is why you will not see signs, flyers or mailers about me all over our city. Although, I need the name recognition more than the incumbent candidates do, it against what I believe in to clutter our city with signs and propaganda during an election campaign. It seems inconsistent with the ordinances we have established for the citizens of our city.
YES – FREE Public Transportation. We cannot reduce the traffic and congestion issue by merely synchronizing traffic lights and widening highways. We must get cars off the road. Citizens that need to take the bus daily can use the $1.25 fare for better purposes. Individuals that have never taken the bus may be attracted to free service in these tough times.
YES – Help Local Businesses Compete. The older established local businesses south of the 118 need help upgrading and updating their facilities and we need to attract businesses into the vacant facilities that exist.
YES – Partner with Banks, Mortgage Companies, Churches and Non-Profits to fill vacant and repossessed homes. Occupied homes will protect property values in neighborhoods over homes in the vicinity of those that remain vacant.
YES – Partner with Moorpark & Thousand Oaks to create FREE bus service between major shopping centers. Rather than waste money in the "Shop Simi" Program, we can partner with our sister cities to create a shopping/dining experience where individuals can save money on transportation as well as not worrying about "Drinking and Driving" issues.
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